Explore the rise and fall of the letter H with linguistics professor Kate Burridge and psychology professor Catherine McBride. They discuss debates over its name, the disappearing act of the letter H, its historical context and resurgence in English, the importance of letter sounds in learning to read, the evolution of the word 'what' and the disappearance of the 'H' sound, and family dialects.

Listener questions on spelling differences like 'canceled,' idiomatic phrases, zero plurals for words like 'fish,' linguistic choices with verbs and episode numbers, usage of 'at about' in time expressions, regional language variations with mangos vs. green peppers

Guest Matthew G. Kirschenbaum discusses how technology shapes writing styles, from Nietzsche's writing ball to modern word processors. The origin of 'Goody Two Shoes' is explored, revealing its positive beginnings. The podcast delves into how technology impacts literary style and the evolution of language meanings.

Exploring the use of 'needless' words in writing and how some 'redundant' words can be purposeful. Unveiling the story behind the term 'larruping' and the amusing tale of 'chicken surprise' for quick meals.

Guest Sarah Duffy explores the psychology of time and how language reflects our perspectives. The podcast also covers the complexity of using commas, including appositives and nonessential elements. A story about 'fox chores' highlights the importance of commas and invites listeners to share their family stories.

Author Jess Zafarris joins to chat about new words of the year, AI hallucinations, and chatbots creating their own language. They explore the impact of emerging technologies on language and how dictionaries are adapting to the changes.

Learn about the prevalence of silent letters in English spelling and the fascinating stories behind them. Explore the historical use of suffixes and the challenges of spelling reforms. Discover the evolution of English pronunciations and a language-learning app. Dive into the borrowed origins and spelling variations of the word 'pajamas'.

Linguistics professor Valerie Fridland explores the uniqueness of human language, emphasizing creativity, identity expression, and leadership in linguistic change. They discuss differences between animal communication and human language, the potential of chatbots, and the nuances of 'gotten' in American English. The episode includes funny anecdotes about the NATO alphabet mix-ups and 'A1 sauce' mispronunciations.

Explore the history and meaning of terms like Hispanic, Chicano, Latino, Latina, Latinx, and Latine. Discuss the controversy of using 'grow' with non-living things. Delve into the evolution of identity terms for Latin American descent and the importance of respecting preferences in language.

Valerie Fridland, a linguistics professor, discusses the linguistic history of 'house' and 'mansion' and how they evolved. The podcast explores French influence on English and the societal perceptions associated with these words. Additionally, they discuss the origins and meanings of 'house' in the context of attention. The episode also touches on the origin of house music and promotes a new book called 'The Grammar Daily'.